Novak Djokovic, wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm, required treatment between the first and second sets, and revealed that he struggled beyond that point in the Australian Open match against Chung Hyeon.

Novak Djokovic gets treatment during the match against Chung Hyeon at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne on Monday.(AP)

Novak Djokovic does not know if his troublesome elbow injury will require another lay-off, but he reserved credit for Chung Hyeon following his Australian Open defeat to the brilliant youngster.

The six-time champion was beaten 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in the fourth round in Melbourne as Chung took full advantage of the ailing former world number one, who had returned to action at the tournament after six months out.

Novak Djokovic, wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm, required treatment between the first and second sets, and revealed that he struggled beyond that point.

“Unfortunately, it’s not great,” he said of his injury. “At the end of the first set, it started hurting more so I had to deal with it until the end of the match.